How much does a Firefighter make in Kansas?

BLS puts the average Firefighter pay in Kansas at $49,110 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in Kansas, after federal taxes, FICA, and Kansas state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $39,699 annually ($3,308/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Firefighter in Kansas?

On a $49,110 salary in Kansas, your take-home pay is approximately $39,699/year or $3,308/month. Federal tax: $3,713. State tax: $1,941. FICA: $3,757.

Is $49,110 a good Firefighter salary?

$49,110 is the BLS average Firefighter pay in Kansas, 23% below the US average of $63,630 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Kansas earn between $37,440 and $57,950.

How do Kansas taxes affect Firefighter salaries?

Kansas levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $49,110 is $1,941. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 19.2%.

What are the career growth prospects for Firefighters?

In Kansas, the top 10% earn over $76,110 and the bottom 10% under $32,810 (BLS, May 2025). 4% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average); EMT/paramedic dual-cert growing faster. Related roles include: Fire Captain, Fire Engineer, Paramedic Firefighter, Battalion Chief, Fire Marshal, HazMat Specialist.

How can a Firefighter in Kansas reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Public Safety

Firefighter Salary in Kansas (2026)

Average Firefighter pay in Kansas

$49,110/year

≈ $24/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $37,440–$57,950

US average: $63,630

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$39,699/year

$3,308/month · effective tax rate 19.16%

Federal $3,713
State $1,941
FICA $3,757
Take-home

Pay by role in Kansas

Engineer / Paramedic / Specialty FFBLS · 75th–90th percentile$57,950–$76,110
Firefighter (any department)BLS · middle 50%$37,440–$57,950
Probationary FirefighterBLS · 10th–25th percentile$32,810–$37,440

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$39,699
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$3,308
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$1,527
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$19/hr
Federal Tax	$3,713
State Tax	$1,941
FICA Taxes	$3,757
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	19.16%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Firefighters earn the same — not even close

Kansas's firefighter market is anchored by Wichita Fire Department (~450 sworn + IAFF Local 135 + the largest KS fire department), Kansas City KS Fire Department (~390 sworn + IAFF Local 64 + the substantial KCK municipal fire department), Overland Park Fire Department (~210 sworn + IAFF Local 1042 + the substantial Overland Park suburban department), Topeka Fire Department (~210 sworn + IAFF Local 83), Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical (~170 sworn + dual-role FF/EMS + IAFF Local 1596), Olathe Fire Department, McConnell Air Force Base Fire Department federal civilian fire, Fort Leavenworth Fire Department + Fort Riley Fire Department federal civilian fire, plus the substantial KS meatpacking industrial fire brigade at Cargill + National Beef + Tyson KS plants.

Engineer / Paramedic / Specialty FF

$57,950–$76,110

Senior FF at KS career fire departments · top-of-scale + OT premium

Source: BLS May 2025 · Firefighters · Kansas · 75th–90th percentile

Firefighter (any department)

$37,440–$57,950

KS Forest Service + Flint Hills prescribed burn + KS Tornado Alley wildland-urban interface response

Source: BLS May 2025 · Firefighters · Kansas · middle 50%

Probationary Firefighter

$32,810–$37,440

New career FF · KP&F Kansas Police & Firefighters Retirement membership at hire · Step 1-4 band

Source: BLS May 2025 · Firefighters · Kansas · 10th–25th percentile

Worth knowing: Kansas's substantial Tornado Alley positioning + post-2007 Greensburg EF5 tornado response is a distinctive feature of KS firefighting most national firefighter career surveys understate for the state. KS substantial Tornado Alley positioning (KS averages ~80-100 tornadoes annually + the substantial post-2007 Greensburg KS EF5 tornado (May 4, 2007 the largest US tornado in modern KS history destroying ~95% of Greensburg + the substantial post-Greensburg KS LEED + green-energy rebuild) + the substantial post-2019 KS Linwood EF4 tornado + the substantial post-2024 KS substantial tornado outbreak + the substantial KS-Oklahoma-Texas Tornado Alley response coordination) supports substantial KS fire department + USAR + post-disaster + structural collapse + multi-casualty + mass casualty response training + equipment investment. Wichita Fire Department (~450 sworn + IAFF Local 135 + the largest KS fire department + the substantial Wichita FD post-tornado response training + the substantial Wichita FD aerospace facility hazmat response specialty + the substantial Wichita FD Spirit AeroSystems + Textron Aviation industrial fire coordination + the substantial Wichita FD substantial post-2024 ARFF + Eisenhower National airport coordination) supports substantial KS urban + industrial firefighter operations. Senior KS Wichita + KCK + Overland Park + Topeka firefighter officers clear $72-112K + OT. Kansas City KS Fire Department (~390 sworn + IAFF Local 64 + the substantial KCK municipal fire department + the substantial KCK substantial cross-state coordination with KC MO Fire + the substantial KCK industrial fire at GM Fairfax Assembly + Owens Corning) supports substantial KCK firefighter operations. Overland Park Fire Department (~210 sworn + IAFF Local 1042 + the substantial Overland Park suburban department serving substantial Johnson County KS + the substantial Overland Park post-2020 expansion) supports substantial Overland Park firefighter operations. The substantial KS meatpacking industrial fire brigade demand at Cargill Wichita + National Beef Wichita + Tyson Foods KS (the substantial KS meatpacking plant ammonia NH3 refrigeration system fire risk + the substantial KS post-2010 OSHA Process Safety Management compliance + the substantial KS meatpacking industrial fire brigade investment) supports substantial KS industrial fire brigade specialty work. McConnell AFB + Fort Leavenworth + Fort Riley substantial federal civilian firefighter work supporting cleared facility fire. KP&F Kansas Police & Firefighters Retirement System (substantial KS municipal firefighter pension covering substantially all KS career firefighters at 2.5% × years × FAS multiplier supporting career firefighter retirement after 25 years + the substantial KP&F unfunded liability concern + post-2014 KP&F Tier 2 reforms) provides KS firefighter pension. KS recognizes public-sector collective bargaining for firefighters via KS PEERA Public Employee Employer Relations Act + the substantial KS post-RTW preservation of firefighter collective bargaining. KS two-bracket 5.2%/5.58% top by 2026 + KS RTW since 1958 + KS property tax ~1.41% + no state estate tax. The 2025 No Tax on Overtime federal deduction applies through 2028.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Firefighters in Kansas and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Kansas 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers